The Industrial Revolution

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

The main dramatic changes, both positive and negative, that were brought about by the Industrial Revolution are presented in this large-format, attractive book. The straightforward text is well integrated with an appealing array of photos, maps, diagrams and drawings, most of which are in full color. The four full-page see-through illustrations, showing the outsides and insides and insides of a coal miner's home, a railroad station, a cotton factory and an immigrant ship are especially intriguing. Each of the 21 chapters consists of a two-page spread of text and illustrations, and although the text may appear rather slight, the combination of words and visuals succeeds in presenting a good deal of solid information. Some of the topics addressed are digging for coal, canals, social reform, and riots and hunger. Key dates, a glossary and an index are included in this selection from the "See Through History" series.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8Two attractive, colorful volumes that offer good introductions to the concepts and major elements regarding these topics. What readers won't get is a lot of information beyond a kind of outline or summary of major points. Long-range implications are beyond the scope of these titles. Each double-page chapter is introduced by a paragraph in bold type; subheadings effectively divide and organize content. The writing is straightforward; however, students may need definitions of some terms that are not included in the brief glossaries. The books are full of illustrations, including paintings (four of which are full-page cutaway views with see-through plastic overlays), reproductions, graphs, and maps. While placed appropriately, some of the visuals in Industrial are too small to be very informative; most, however, are well chosen and add to readers' understanding of the text. Industrial may be unique in its scope and treatment of the topic for this age level. Vikings is slightly more comprehensive and for an older audience than Robert Nicholson's Vikings (Chelsea, 1994) or Margaret Mulvihill's Viking Longboats (Watts, 1989) and is comparable to, but more attractive than, Pamela Odjik's Vikings (Silver Burdett, 1990). Students may be enticed by these books to pursue more in-depth works.Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA